Feed table for rolling mills



Oct. 13, 1936. A. G. DELANY FEED TABLE FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed April 16, -l932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MR r INVENTOR A'TTO RNEYj Oct. 13,1936. DELANY 2,056,959

FEED TABLE FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed April 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR '73 A Wmm 5/ 0 y 9 ATTO RN EYS Oct- 13, 1936. A.'G. DELANY 2,056,959

FEEDTABLE FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed April 16, 1952 '4 Sheets-Sheet :s

20 1 T I INVENTOR A 4. De iany ATTORNEY S a. 13, 1936. A. G. DELANY 2,056,959

FEED TABLE FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed April 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v #215 43w 415 #5 s z Z55 Z 6 (1mm BY wh ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 13, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,056,959 FEED TABLE FOR. ROLLING MILLS Albanus Groome Delany, Alabama City, Ala., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The American Rolling Mill Company, Middletown, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application April 16, 1932, Serial No. 605,765

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a feed table for rolling mills and more particularly for mills of the type adapted to roll sheets, plates, and sheet bars.

The object of my invention is to provide a feed table which will be automatic in its functioning and which will act by laterally movable means first to engage and match the sheets or plates transversely of the table and then, by longitudinally movable means to match the sheets or plates lengthwise of the table before advancing them, thus properly matched, with a rapid movement into the initial roll pass.

My invention contemplates that the lateral matching shall be accomplished in advance of the automatic operation of a pusher which is the means selected to complete the matching of the plates or sheets and to effect their delivery, with a quick thrust, into the mill pass, thereby enabling the operation of the feed table to, be speeded up materially as. contrasted with tables that employ feed chains or trains of rolls which must be reversed or started up and which even while feeding the sheets or plates necessarily move them with a comparatively slow travel as contrasted with the thrust of a pusher.

My invention further contemplates utilizing the pusher thrust to force the sheets or plates against yieldable stops to accomplish their longitudinal matching before the stops release them for delivery to the mill.

My invention further contemplates providing the feed table with two sets of stops for sheets or plates, the initial set being released responsive to the completion of the side matching operation to permit the sheets or plates to pass between yieldable side guides into engagement with the second stops which are automatically released as the pusher is energized and are counterweighted to resist the pusher action sufficiently to match the plates or sheets endwise before releasing them to enter the mill pass.

My invention further contemplates the provision of novel automatic trip controlled lock means for holding the two sets of stops in the path of the sheets.

My invention further contemplates interposing, in the automatic control mechanism for the pusher, means responsive to the return of the mill roll screw down mechanism to initial position which act to release the pusher for operation immediately after the rolls have fully resumed proper position to receive the next sheets or plates to be rolled.

My invention further contemplates mounting the pusher mechanism for longitudinal adjustment according to the length of the sheets or plates to be handled and to provide the pusher head with spring-pressed trip members which are normally retracted out of the path of the sheets or plates when the pusher head is drawn back to 5 initial position and which assume sheet engaging position as the pusher head advances.

4 My invention further contemplates providing .above the feed table means to receive the sheets or plates, as they are returned to the feeder side of the mill, and to again deliver them to the lower roll pass while the next sheets or plates to be rolled are held on the main feed table awaiting their automatic release and feed into the mill.

My invention further contemplates associating with my improved type of feed table any suitable catcher to return the sheets or plates, any suitable screw-down mechanism for adjusting the rolls, and any suitable mechanism, properly timed or controlled automatically, for delivering the sheet or plate stock from the furnace to the feed table. My invention further comprises a novel arrangement of electric and compressed air circuits, and motors included in said circuits, for control ling and accomplishing the automatic functioning of the feed table in the manner above pointed out.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which, in their preferred embodiment only, are hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section-a1 view omitting much of the frame work for sake of clarity, and showing the coordinated elements for the operation and control of the feed table.

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross sectional View on the line IIII of Fig. 1- with conventional structural supports for the feed table shown.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the delivery end of the main feed table, showing the pusher head, side guides and end stop dogs.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic lay out of the electric circuits that control the operation of the feed table.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic layout of the electric circuits that controlthe operation of the screwdown,

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I show an oven 5 from which the hot sheet stock is delivered by a conveyor 6 onto spaced conveyor '55 chains '1 traveling over the feed table. The upper flight of each chain I runs in a suitable track such as a channel 8, resting on,the table; plates 9 which are suitably supported by base frame members III, the latter being omitted from the showing in Fig. 1 for the sake of clearness. The chains 1' pass about idler sprockets H on a cross shaft l2 mounted in suitable bearings (not shown) at the receiving end of the table, and at their ends adjacent to the mill each is driven by a sprocket |3 fast on a shaft I4 carrying a sprocket which is driven'by the chain l5 from sprockets on a countershaft |6a which is driven by a chain l6 from a motor H.

The lower flight of each chain I returns under an idler sprocket I8, and the chains are driven continuously with their upper flights moving towards the mill. The sheet stock is moved forward over the table by the chains I until it engages the initial stops l9, two of which are fast on a cross shaft suitably mounted crosswise above the table and carrying at one end a cam 20 with a detent normally engaged by a latch 2|, pivoted to a side bracket 22 so as to ride on the cam. The stops being thus held will act to arrest the sheet stock which, as it approaches the stops, will engage and actuate the trip arm 23 which throws the flag switch 24 so as'to energize a solenoid 25, causing same to operate an air valve 26 and admit air pressure to the cylinder 21.

' As shown in Fig. 2, this cylinder 21 has a piston connected to a reciprocable rack 28, working in a suitable bearing 29 and meshing a toothed disk 30 which is mounted to rotateon a fixed axis 3| and has connected to-opposite sides thereof the connecting rods 32 and 33, which respectively engage the upper ends of levers 34 fast on shafts pivotally mounted in bearings 35 on each side of the table and eachcarrying rocker arms 34a which at their lower ends are connected by links 36 with their respective matching bars 31 which slide on the table top 9 and which as they come together strike the side edges of the sheets or "plates, indicated 'by. dotted lines 33 in Fig. 2.

" the conveyor chain's I until engaged by the sec- This operation aligns the side edges of the sheets or sheet pack directly one over the other and thus effects the lateral orside matching of the stock.

When the flag switch 24 is tripped, the solenoid 25 tperates and as soon as the air cylinder 21 has completed its forward stroke, solenoid 25 is released and air valve 26 returned by the pressure of spring 39 'so as to admit air to the other end of cylinder 21, thereby withdrawing the sideinder 21 will pass the air through cylinder 4|,

thereby raising the piston therein sufllcientlyfor a detent at the lower end of its rod 42 to raise the latch 2| and release the cam 29 and the stops l9, which free the sheets to move forward with ondary stops 43.-

When the cylinder 21 has completed its return stroke, the flow of air through the cylinder 4| at E in Fig. '4) which will later be referred to and which energizes a solenoid 44. Any of the commercial typesof time delay relay switch may be is tripped, it operates a contact through a time delay relay (indicated,

employed, such as the dash-pot type in which the delay in closing can be regulated by an air escape valve. The delay is sufficient to allow the sheets to pass stops I9 and engage stops 43. Thereupon this'solenoid 44 will operate the threeway air valve 45 and deliver pressure to a pipe 46 and through cylinder 41 and pipe 48 to the rear end of the cylinder 49 for the plunger 50 which operates the ram head 5|.

The air admitted to cylinder 49 pushes the ram head forward, but before this occurs the piston in cylinder 41 will have been lifixed so as to rock the latch 52 so that it clears the counter-weighted bell crank 53 which, by a link 54, is connected to a crank 55 on the shaft carrying the secondary stops 43. These stops project above the delivery plate 56, passing through suitable slots therein, which permit their retraction responsive to the thrust of the sheets against them when engaged and actuated by the ram head. The bell crank 53 is sufliciently counter-weighted to holdsaid stops 43 yieldingly in position to arrest the plates while resting on conveyor chains but these stops "are designed to yield before the thrust ofv the ram head and permit the sheets to be thrust quickly threaded through the upper portion of the frame for engagement with the bearings 230. The rolls are driven in the direction indicated by the arrows by an electric motor (not shown).

I After the screw-downs have been properly adjusted with respect to each other, they are caused to move simultaneously by means of a tie bar 23| which is pivotally connected at the ends of tie bar arms 232. The arms are mounted on their respective screws by means of collars 63 and bolts a 233 and adapted. to be engaged at their outer ends between the teeth formed in the gears 62 which are keyed to the screws 6|.

The screw-downs are actuated by a reversible electric motor 61, which drives a crank arm 68 mounted on a crank shaft 234 through a worm 235 andgear 236. A driving rod 69 is pivotally connected at its one end to the crank arm with means of. adjustment (not described), for varying the crank throw. At its other end the rod 69 is connected to a lever 65. The lever 65 is pivotally connected at its lower end to a rigidframe 66 and at its upper end to a connecting rod 64 which in turn is connected to a pivot arm 23! mounted on the screw 6|.

The pivot arm 231 is secured to a collar 239 mounted on the screw 6| by a bolt 239 and is adapted to engage between the teeth on the gear 62 so as to rotate the screw when swung about its pivot. Y

The connecting rod 64 is formed in two sections which are yieldably connected by a safety cou pling, which is not describedsince it in no way affects the operation of my invention.

A portion of the catcher table has been shown 'at 240 and is described in a copending application by A. G. Delaney, filed on Oct. 1, 1931, Serial 'No. 566,230 and is adapted to act with the herein described apparatus to perform the rolling operation automatically. After passing through the rolls, the stock is received on the catcher table 2L8! and close switch 2LS2.

The motor 6! is started by aflag switch 24! which is actuated by the stock "at the completion of each pass of the stock through the rolls and the motor is stopped by the limit switches 1! which are opened by a control arm 10 mounted on the crank shaft 234. After the stock has completed the passes through the rolls, say by making five passes, the control arm will actuate a reversing switch 242 which sets the relay circuits so that the last operation of. the flag switch 24! will reverse the motor and return the screw down mechanism to its first position and reset the limit switches for the next cycle of passes. The limit switches are adjustably mounted on a bracket 243, by means of bolts passing through circumferential slots. These switches are of standard toggle type and will remain in the position in which they are left by the control arm 10.

Assuming that the screws have been adjusted to suit the particular sheets to be rolled, I will now describe the automatic operation of the screw-down mechanism for, in this instance, five passes of the stock, reference being had to Fig. 6 in the drawings.

As the stock is carried by the feed table to the lower rolls, the screws are in their raised or first position and are lowered to their second position when the flag switch 24! is actuated by the stock passing onto the catcher table 240.

When the stock strikes fiag switch 24! in making the first pass, it opens switch FSA, closes switch F313, and switch FSC remains closed, thereby energizing the set up relay Y by closing a circuit through the leads 245, 241, switch FSB, lead 249', switch FSC, lead 2511, relay Y, lead 25!, switch U2, to lead 245. When the relay Y closes, a holding circuit is completed through the leads 245, 248, switch Y3, lead 249, switch FSC, lead 256, relay Y, lead 25!, switch U2, to lead 246.

As the stock passes further onto the catching table it eventually releases the flag' switch 24! which is caused to resume its upright position by the springs 269 and to close switch FSA and open switch FSB. When switch FSA closes, a circuit is completed to the relay X through leads 245, 241, switch FSA, lead 252, switch Y2, lead 253, switch 2LS!, lead 254, switch 3LSi, lead 255, switch 4LSI, lead 256, switch '5LSI, lead 2571, relay X, lead 258, switch UI, to lead 246. When the relay X is thus energized it opens switch X! and closes switches X2, X3 and X4. A holding circuit is then provided for the relay X through lead 245, switch X2, lead 259, switch Y2, lead 253, switch 2LSI, lead 254, switch 3LSI, lead 255, switch 4LS!, lead 256, switch 5LSI, lead 25!, relay X, lead 258, switch UI, to lead 246.

The closing of switches X3 and X4 complete a circuit to the motor 6'! through lead 245, switch X4, lead 260, brake solenoid 26L lead 262, motor 61, lead 263, switch X3, to lead 246. The motor then acts to move the screw-downs downwardly into position for the second pass of the stock through the rolls during which, the control arm i actuated limit switch to close switch !LS! and then actuates #2 limit switch to open switch When the switch 2LS! opens, the circuit through relay X is broken causing the switches X3 and X4 to break the circuit leading to the motor 6! and to the brake solenoid 26!.

When the motor circuit is broken the brake solenoid26! is de-energized permitting a spring 210 to draw a brake shoe 21! mounted on a brake lever 212 into engagement with a brake drum 213 secured on the motor shaft 214 thereby quickly overcoming the momentum of the motor armature and bringing the screw-downs accurately to a predetermined position for the next pass. The brake mechanism is mounted within a housing 244.

The screw-down mechanism is now in its second position and the stock is fed for its second pass from the catching table through the upper rolls and onto the feed table. As the stock leaves the catching table it moves the flag switch 24! to 10 open the switches FSA and FSC, switch FSB remaining open. When the switch FSC opens, the circuit to the relay Y is broken, thereby closing the switch Y! and opening the switches Ya and Y3. After the stock leaves the catching table,

the flag switch is restored to its upright position by the springs 269 thereby closing switches FSA and FSC.

The switch FSA now closes a circuit leading to the relay X through leads 245, 241, switch FSA,

lead 252, switch Yl, lead 264, switch 2LS2, lead 254, switch 3LSI, lead 255, switch 4LS!,'lead 256, switch 5LSI, lead relay X, lead 258, switch U!, to lead 246. The relay X now acts to close the switches X3 and X4 to complete the circuit 25 to the motor 61 as described before. After the motor has lowered the screw-downs for the third pass, the circuit leading to the relay X is broken by the control arm ill actuating the #3 limit switch which opens the switches 3L8! and closes the switch 31,182. The de-energization of the relay X causes the switches X3 and X4 to open and break the motor circuit.

As the stock passes onto the catching table after the third pass, it depresses the flagswitch 24!, and completes a circuit to the relay Y as described in connection with the first pass of the stock onto the catching table. The relay X is energized, when the stock has passed far enough onto the catching table to permit the fiagswitch The relay X then closes which opens the switch 4LS! and breaks the circuit to the relay X which in turn opens the switches X3 and X4 to break the motor circuit. As the stock passes off the catcher table for the fourth pass, the fiagswitch 24! is depressed, causto the relay Y. When the flag switch resumes its upright position, the relay X is energized through theleads 245, 241, switchFSA, lead 252, switch Yi, lead 264, switch 2LS2,. lead 254, switch 4LS2,

ing the switch FSC to open and break the circuit lead 256, switch 5LSI, lead 251, relay X, lead 258, switch U!, to lead 246. The relay now closes the switches X2, X3, and X4 and opens the switch X!. The switches X3 and X4 complete the circult to the motor which lowers the screw-downs control arm lil opening the switch 5LSI, which breaks the circuit to the relay X causing the switches X3 and X4 to open. After the stock has passed through the rolls for the fifth and final pass and is stopped by the for the fifth or final pass, it depresses the flag switch 24!, to complete a circuit to the relay Y, and then passes over the catching table to a piling machine (not shown). When the flag switch 24! resumes its upright position, the relay U is energized through the leads 245, 241, switch FSA,

lead 252, switch Y2, leads 253, 265, switch 3LS2,

lead 255, switch 5LS2, lead 266, switch ILSI, lead 261, relay U, lead 268, switch XI, to lead 246.

The switches U4 and U5 complete a circuit in a reverse direction through the motor armature to move the screw-downs upwardly into their raised position. As the control arm 10 travels in the reverse direction it resets each of the limit switches 5L8, 4LS, 3LS, 2LS and ILS successively, and causes the motor to stop when the #I limit switch opens the switch ILSI and breaks the circuit to the relay U which in turn opens the switches U4 and U5 in the motor circuit.

The roll control mechanism is then reset for a new cycle of passes and the adjustment of the rolls for each pass can be regulated by the position in which the limit switch for that pass is set in the bracket 243. Also by the adjustment of limit switch ILS the initial position of the screwdowns can'be controlled. The extent of the full travel of the screw-downs can be controlled by the adjustment of the throw of the crank drive 68. The initial setting of the screw-downs can be controlled by the turnbuckle in the driving rod 69, or by shifting the toothed wheels after releasing them from their actuating mechanisms by lifting the pivot arm 231. A greater or less number of passes may be provided for by. using more or less limit switches ILS, 2LS, etc.

The whole control mechanism for the rolls is automatic; it can be placed out of the way so as not to interfere with roll changes or repairs; and it will, through the brake, stop the motor so quickly as to insure definite intermediate positions for pass control. I

When the screw-down returns to initial position after completing its cycle of roll adjustments, the trip arm 10, in resetting limit switch ILS,

closes the circuit (referring to Fig. 4), H4, 6,

to the pusher magnet 44. By this means the valve 45 will not move to energize the pusher and feed the sheet stock into the mill until the screwdown mechanism has returned to its initial 'poforward ram head 5I which is U-shaped, having journaled therein an axle 12 carrying grooved wheels 18 which travel upon the track rails 14 attached by means of brackets 15 to side plates 16 of the frame. Near the outer end of the ram head 5| I journal a shaft 11 carrying fast on its over.- hung ends pusher dogs 18. mounted fast on this shaft, has pivotally con-1 nected thereto a trip rod which passes through the ram head so that its free end, when the head is retracted, will engage a stop collar 8| on the forward end of the plunger cylinder 49. This acts to shift the rod 80 and rock the dogs into inactive depressed position, as shown in Fig. 1, in which they lie below the path of the sheets 38. A coil spring 82 surrounds the rod between the head and a seat 83 on the rod and acts to rock the dogs 18 upwardly into operative position as soon as the head moves away from the stop plate 8|. The dogs carry stop lugs or projections 84 which, as they swing up into operative position, will engage the ram head and stop the dogs in their raised or operative position in which they are adapted to engage the sheets.

As the ram head is thrust forward and engages the sheets, then held by the unlatched stops 43, the first effect is to push the sheets against these stops and match them lengthwise, the sheets meanwhile 'beingheld in side matched position by means of A crank 19, also position between the yoke arms of a bearing bracket 90 in which a cross shaft 9| is journaled.

This shaft carries a hand wheel 92 and a gear 93 to mesh each of the gears 89. These gears 89, being reversely threaded, as the shaft 9| is turned the guides are drawn together or spread apart, to fit the width of the sheets being fed.

The pusher cylinder carries a rear transverse bearing bracket 94 which at its ends is grooved to slide on the rails 14. Near its forward end it carries a bracket 85 having arms also slidable on said rails and having a center dependable member 96 which is in threaded engagement with an adjusting screw 91 mounted in bearings 98 below the table and at its left hand end carrying a sprocket I99 driven by a sprocket chain 200 in turn driven through a reducing gear MI by a reversible motor 202. By means of the motor drive tothe shaft 91 the whole pusher mechanism can be adjusted lengthwise of the table into proper position to handle the different lengths of sheets.

The sheets, after the first pass through the mill, are received by any suitable catcher mechanism 203, only formally illustrated, and are returned through the upper roll pass over guide plate 204 and between the pinch rolls 205 and 206 and delivered onto an upper feed table 201. This table is inclined towards the lower mill pass and has a pair of endless conveyor chains 208 traveling along same and passing at their lower ends about idlers 209 so as to deliver the sheets over guide 2 I0 into the lower pass of the mill for finishing. The conveyors 200 are driven by suitable sprockets through a chain 2 from a gear reduction drive M2 by a motor 2I3 which is supported upon suitable brackets 2I5 forming part of the frame work and carrying the overhung support 2 I1 for the air cylinder 21. The table 201 is supported from this bracket 2I5 from one end and from the other end from the bracket 22. The air valve 26- and its controlling magnet are supported by the bracket 2 I 8 from the element 22 or in any suitable manner, and if desired the flag switch 24 may also be mountedon the element 22 at one side of the feed table.

Referring now to Fig. 4 in the drawings, I show the means provided for automatically controlling v the operation of the feed table and particularly of the side matching means and the pusher head. When the flag switch 24 is in its normal initial position, the relay A is energized through the lead IOI, switch FSI, lead 99, relay A, and leads I03 and I02; Relay A is of the retarded type and assuming main line switch I00 to be closed, the switch AI will be held in its closed position a sufflcient length of time after the switch FSI is opened to permit a circuit to be completed to the solenoid 25. As the stock moves along the feed table, it actuates'the flag switch trip 23 to' open switch FSI and to close switches F82 and F83.

The closing of switch FS2 completes a circuit to against the stock the retarded relay A will open 75 the switch Al to break the circuit to the relay B, which in turn opens the switch Bl to de-energize the solenoid 25, whereupon spring 39 resets the against the stops 43. The ram head is now to be operated to push the sheets between the lower rolls. This is accomplished as follows: When the stock actuates fiag switch trip 23, a circuit is completed to energize the relay C through the lead IUI, switch FS3, lead I09, switch D2, lead H0, relay C,and leadslllfi and I02. A holding circuit is provided for the relay C through the leads lfll, B01, switch Cl, leads I I l, I09, switch D2, lead H0, relay C, and leads I06 and I02 to hold the relay C energized after the flag switch has been restored to its normal position by the passage of the stock beyond the trip arm 23, this switch being returned to initial position by means such as the springs 220.

Retarded relay E, which is normally energized through the lead llll, lll'l, switch C2, lead H2, switch D3, lead H3, relay E and leads I03 and 102, is adapted to close the switch El, at a predetermined time after the switch C2 opens, to complete a circuit to the relay D. The relay D is energized through the lead .iM, ll i, screwdown switch H, lead HE, switch El, lead Ell, relay D, and leads I06 and M2 to complete a circuit through the switch D! to the pusher solenoid it. The circuit to this solenoid is through leads EM, lid, M8, switch Di, leads H9,

solenoid M, and lead Hi2. The circuit to the relay D and solenoid M is broken by the arm w opening the screw-down switch H, after which the ram head is caused to return to its normal position by the spring 22! which returns the three-Way air valve 5 to initial position.

The air and electric circuits described will cause the feed table to function automatically as follows: The conveyors I received the timed deliveries of hot sheet stock from the ovens and feed same to trip switch 24 and come to rest against stops Q9. The magnet 25 is operated and the air cylinder 2'? energized to operate the side matching bars 3?. As the bars 3? are re= tracted, air in cylinder 4! releases the cam 2t and unlatches stop arm l9 which yield and permit the partly matched stock to be moved on by conveyor I until again arrested by stops 43, releasing trip arm 23 and allowing stops iii to be relatched in operative position. As soon as the screw-down switch H is closed, the magnet 44 will actuate valve 35 and operate the ram head after unlatching the stops 53. The ram head thereupon with a swift direct thrust presses the sheets against stops 43 which are counterweighted sufficiently to cause the sheets to be matched endwise before they yield and allow the sheets to pass over them and into the lower mill pass. The piston in cylinder 41 thereupon drops, the stops 43 are again relatched, and the plunger is retracted. The catcher returns the sheets through the upper pass and the upper feed table 20'! returns them to the lower mill pass, and this operation may be repeated two or more times until the stock is finished, whereupon the screwdown will return to initialposition, its switch H will again be closed and the new stock that has been first matched and then held by stops 43 will be released to start its rolling cycle.

The functioning of the feed table is automatic throughout and due to the quick pusher action on the matched sheets there will be a very quick feeding action of perfectly matched sheets and a high production without requiring an operator. The catcher table may automatically control the adjustment and reset of the screw-down mechanism as described in my companion application, Serial No. 566,230. 7 I

When in the specification and claims I refer to sheets, such term is inclusive of sheets or plates, singly or "in packs, or of stock for the production of sheets or plates.

While I-have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

\ What I claim is:

1. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a screw-down means for setting the mill rolls, and positive thrust means to feed the stock to said rolls automatically responsive to a resetting of the mill rolls. I

2. In an automatic feed table for rolling mills, a conveyor for delivering sheet stock to a roll stand, stop means to hold back the stock on said conveyor; a screw-down for the rolls, and means to release said stop means automatically responsive to said screw-down.

3. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a conveyor for moving the sheet stock towards the mill, at stop means for the stock to arrest same for matching, operable to release same for delivery to the mill, and a reciprocable pusher for thrusting the stock, with a quick movement relatively to the conveyor, into the mill pass.

4. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a continuously moving conveyor for delivering sheet stock to a roll stand, a stop means adapted to arrest the stock on said conveyor, and a reciprocable pusher adapted to thrust the stock past said stop means. into the rolls.

5. An automatic feed table according to claim 4, in combination with means to latch said stop means inoperative position, and means to release said latch in advance of the operation of the pusher. I

6. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a conveyor for delivering sheet stock to a roll stand, a stop means to arrest the stock on said table, a latch to release said stop means, a sidematching means for stock held by said stop means, and means to release said latch automatically responsive to the operation of said matching means.

7. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a conveyor for delivering sheet stock to a roll stand, a stop means to arrest the stock on said secondary stop means to arrest the stock for end matching, a release means therefor, and end matching means adapted to push the stock past said released secondary stop means into the mill rolls.

9. An automatic feed table according to claim 8, in which the release means for the initial stops is unlatched automatically under the control of said side matching means.

10. An automatic feed table according to claim 8, in which the conveyor tends continuously to deliver the stock to the rolls, and the initial step means is released responsive to the operation of the'side matching means, in combination with means to relock each stop means after the stock passes same.

11. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a conveyor means for moving stock towards the mill rolls, a reciprocable pusher, side matching means, a stop means to arrest the stock opposite said side matching means, means operable responsive to the side matching means to release said stop means, a secondary stop means to arrest the stock in the path of the pusher for end matching, a screw-down means for the mill rolls, means responsive to the screw-down means to release the secondary stop means and actuate the pusher, and means controlled by the stock to actuate said matching means.

member and adapted to laterally match the stock engaged by the initial stop means, means responsive to the completion of said matching operation to release the initial stop means, secondary stop means for the matched stock, means normally locking said latter stop in operative position for end matching, pusher means adapted.

to engage and push the stock past the secondary stop means,,means coordinated with the operation of the pusher to unlock the secondary stop,

a screw-down for the mill rolls, and means controlled thereby to actuate the pusher.

13. A feed table in accordance with claim 12,

and a reciprocable pusher to engage and thrust said stock into the mill past said stop means whereby to align the pack, and means to mount the pusher for adjustment lengthwise of the table.

15. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, means to present sheet stock in position for delivery into the mill rolls, a reciprocable pusher disposed parallel to, but not in line with the path of the sheet stock, having jaws normally displaced from the said path, and which automatically assume position in said path to engage the stock as the pusher moves to thrust the stock into the mill.

16. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, a conveyor for feeding sheet stock towards the mill, stop means to arrest the stock, a latch to lock said stop means in the path of the stock, a yieldable resistance to hold the stop means when unlatched againstthe thrust of stock on said conveyor, and a quick action pusher operable to thrust the stock past said stop means and into the mill rolls.

17. In an automatic feed table for rolling mills, means to convey stock towards the mill, means to stop the stock, means to match the stock, means to deliver the stock into the mill pass, a

screw-down for the mill rolls, means responsive to the screw-down to release the stock and energize said delivery means, and means responsive to the stock movement to reset the stop means.

18. In an automatic feed table for a rolling mill, means to present a pack to be rolled in position adjacent to the millrolls, stop means,

and a reciprocable power actuated plunger adapted to thrust the .stock into the rolling mill pass and past said stop means, witha continuous rapid movement.

ALBANUS GROOME DELANY. 

